7 Things You Need To Know About Travel To The USA

We love visiting the USA but although the culture is very similar in lots of ways to the UK, there are also differences that you need to be prepared for. So here are 7 things you need to know about travel to the USA so you can be best prepared for your trip.

Travel insurance is essential 
The USA is a vast country

Travel insurance is so important and especially so in the USA. Unlike the UK they do not have a free public medical system like the NHS. Medical bills are very high in the USA so getting insurance with medical cover is super important. Don't skimp on this or you could be hit with a bill running into thousands of pounds for something simple. It's recommended that you get a minimum of 10 million dollars worth of medical coverage per person. So buy the best travel insurance you can afford.

 You need an ESTA or a VISA

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization is an automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. You can apply for the ESTA yourself through the official website above, which we have done a number of times, however, if you are unsure about the process and how to do it, you can apply for your ESTA application here. This company e-visa.co.uk will help you complete it for a fee and will double check your application.  If you fill out your ESTA wrongly you could be denied entry and have to get a VISA which is a lengthier process. 

It's expected to tip everywhere
Don't forget to tip your waitress 

Tipping is part of American culture. In the USA a 15 to 20% tip is expected in restaurants. Waiting staff are paid a very low wage, typically under $3 an hour so you should always tip unless the service was bad. If this is the case then make a point of talking to the manager if you are not going to tip. Tipping is worked out on the pre-tax price of the meal. Other people to tip include maids, (2-$5 a night) taxi drivers (15 to 20%) and bartenders (1-2$ a drink).

Taxes are added onto the price you see

 The price you see is never the price you pay. Local and state taxes are added on often bumping the price up by another 10% in stores and hotels. Resort fees are also something to consider in bigger hotels and resorts in places such as Las Vegas and Florida. These can be as much as 50 dollars per room per day. There is usually no way of getting out of these fees which the hotels say are for phone calls, Wi-Fi, bottled water and use of the pool, for example.  However if you do have any issues in the hotel, be sure to complain and you may have these fees waived

 Gas is super cheap
Vintage Gas Station on Route 66

We like road trips. In fact, we've just completed a Route 66 road trip, driving over 2400 miles from Chicago Illinois to Los Angeles California and one thing we realised is that gas or petrol as we call it in the UK is super cheap. In fact, I would say it's half of the cost. This makes the USA perfect to explore on a road trip. So why not plan a trip on the Pacific Coast Highway or another USA road trip? A tip with getting gas is that most petrol station pumps don't accept UK credit or debit cards, so you may have to go into the gas station, present your credit card and get a prepay amount first, say $30 before you can fill up. If you don't use this amount they will refund the difference.

Public transport isn't always the best

 In cities, you will have access to the public transport system such as trains, buses and subways. In fact, public transport in major cities like New York,  Chicago and Washington DC is excellent, however, in the smaller towns and cities, public transport isn't so good. People also do not seem to walk anywhere in the US due to the vast distances involved.  We have found, outside of the major cities there are few sidewalks, and the car is king, so remember that if you are planning a trip to the USA. A hire car is highly recommended if you are going anywhere out of a city.

 Drinking and gun laws are weird 
Gun laws are weird

 You need to be 21 to drink but in many states, there is no minimum official age to shoot a gun in a gun range. Go figure! Some gun ranges will, however, impose a minimum age such as 13, and will always ask you to supervise your child. Regarding alcohol. if you look under the age of 40, yes 40, you may be asked for ID when buying alcohol. Generally drinking in the street is not allowed by law, with some exceptions, such as in New Orleans and Key West, and there are even counties in certain states that are official 'dry', where alcohol is prohibited or restricted. I always remember going to the Jack Daniels Distillery in Tennesse and not being allowed to drink alcohol, although this has now changed.

 So these are 7 things you need to know about travel to the USA. For up to date information on travel to the USA always check out the foreign travel advice from your local government website.

 Let me know, have you been to the USA? What do you think about these essential tips?
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23 comments

  1. fjk4217 July 2019 at 11:43

    I lived in the US for 11 years. I'd add a couple of things to your list. Firstly, when driving, make sure your car doors are locked. Most car doors in the US lock automatically when you're driving, but be sure to check they are locked. That way you lessen the chance of someone trying to open a door and rob you when you stop at a light. Secondly, in some cities there is a rule "Right on Red", which means cars can turn right even when the light is red. If you're doing any city driving, watch out for this as cars can unexpectedly pull out to make a right turn in front of you when you think you have right of way.

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    1. Mellissa Williams18 July 2019 at 01:27

      Hi, yes we know about about driving right on red :)

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  2. Dairy free for 317 July 2019 at 12:14

    We have never been to USA 🇺🇸 before but really would love to. These tips are sure to help a lot of people.
    I’m glad to have found this blog, so thank you x

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  3. Coombe Mill - Fiona17 July 2019 at 12:14

    We did a road trip around Florida pre kids. I'd love to go back there one day. I had quite forgotten some of the differences like having to add tax to the price quoted.

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    1. Mellissa Williams18 July 2019 at 01:28

      Hope you get the chance to go back. We've been to the US every year for the last 10 or so years

      Delete
  4. Treasure_E_M17 July 2019 at 12:20

    I absolutely love visiting USA for holidays; it's just a shame it's so far away! I dream of taking my family there one day :)

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  5. Bryony Shaw17 July 2019 at 14:24

    I went to the USA in my teens, had an amazing time such a cool place to explore and visit and love just how everything is so different!

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  6. Lizzy17 July 2019 at 15:36

    Agree with the above comment - you can often turn right on a red light which always freaks me out but I always get beeped if I don't :). Great tips, absolutely love going to the US!

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  7. Valerie17 July 2019 at 19:29

    I live in the US and you make a number of very good points. Pricing can confuse even some people that live here LOL. Not all things get taxed and not all places have the same tax.

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    1. Mellissa Williams18 July 2019 at 01:29

      Hi Valerie. Which things are not taxed do you know?

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  8. MichelleTwinMum17 July 2019 at 19:57

    Many thanks, such useful information. There is a lot to think about when traveling to the USA. Mich X

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  9. Jon17 July 2019 at 21:16

    Great advice on the VISA front. Don't forget there is a delay now from when you apply. We had to wait about 24hrs for ours to clear so don't turn up at the airport without them!

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    1. Mellissa Williams18 July 2019 at 01:29

      Yes good advice. Also if you log out then log back into to the ESTA site your application may have already been approved.

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  10. Anne Fraser17 July 2019 at 21:20

    I agree about medical insurance but remember you may have to pay some costs and then reclaim. My husband was ill when we were in Florida and the doctor arrived with a card machine. Luckily I had enough money in my bank account.

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  11. Rebecca Smith17 July 2019 at 21:35

    I've never been to the US and Steve went when he was really young so can't remember it. It is on our travel bucket list to go though, thanks for the info!

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  12. Newcastle Family Life18 July 2019 at 11:34

    I have only ever been to America as a child so this was interesting as we are planning on taking the kids in a couple of years. I knew you had to tip but had no idea how much so thats useful x

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    1. Mellissa Williams7 August 2019 at 13:59

      Yes, it is expected. Obviously if you have bad service, I wouldn't and would speak to the manager but otherwise tipping is expected

      Delete
  13. Natasha Mairs - Serenity You19 July 2019 at 13:36

    I hate being forced to tip! I think you should only tip if you want to and have been provided with a good service

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  14. Stephanie Merry21 July 2019 at 20:28

    One of the things I never knew about until I went to New York on a school trip is that the tax is added on at the till x

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    1. Mellissa Williams7 August 2019 at 14:02

      Yes, the price you think is never the price you pay lol

      Delete
  15. Kara23 July 2019 at 19:01

    It surprised me how much the ESTA was when we applied - shame it doesn't last longer

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